Plans for 65 affordable homes in Middlewich have been recommended for approval despite objections from the town council and 117 residents.

Breck Homes wants to build the properties on land to the east and west of Croxton Lane.

The site already has an extant planning permission for 52 houses, which was approved in April last year.

This latest application seeks to increase the number of homes to 65 units, made up of 16 one-bedroom properties, 29 two-bed, 18 three-bed and two four-bed.

All dwellings would be two storeys high, including the apartments.

The mix of the previously approved scheme approved was four one-bed properties, 21 two-bed, 19 three-bed and eight four-bed houses.

The case officer's report to next week's meeting of the southern planning committee states: "The increase in numbers is largely due to an increase in the number of smaller units and a decrease in larger units within the site."

Access to each of the sites is proposed from priority junctions that are staggered on the A530 Croxton Lane.

This is the same access approved as part of the previous scheme granted permission last year.

Middlewich Town Council has objected to the application on several grounds, including the schools are at capacity, there is no bus service for this development and there are no suitable cycleways.

The objections from residents are numerous and include Middlewich does not have the infrastructure for more housing in terms of schools, doctors, road network, dentists, pharmacies or social services.

They say Croxton Lane suffers congestion at certain times of the day, the scheme will result in an increase in pollution and noise and the proposed access points are dangerous.

Cheshire Brine Subsidence Board says the site is within an area which has previously been affected by brine subsidence and future movements cannot be discounted.

The council's planning officer states the issue of brine subsidence will be dealt with at the building regulations stage when the foundation design is developed.

The application is recommended for approval, subject to conditions, and contributions of £89,178 for outdoor space, £70,202 towards the NHS, £187,019 towards secondary education and £74,920 towards special educational needs provision.

The southern planning meeting takes place at Crewe Municipal Buildings at 10 am on Wednesday, December 4.

Would you like to know more about Sandbach?

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Sandbach Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

Please consider following Sandbach Nub News on Facebook  or Twitter

We also have a weekly newsletter with the TOP FIVE stories of the week - sign up here